COVENANT AND PROMISE
? BERITH = Hebrew word for covenant
? Berith is found in the earliest records in the Bible and is fundamental to Hebrew religion. In Latin it is Testamentum.
? The Old Testament and the New Testaments means the old and the new covenants. A covenant is a promise.
? Chesed = Hebrew word for the attitude of loyalty and faithfulness which both parties should observe towards one another in a covenant relationship.
? The covenant ?chesed' of God is so strong that it can never pass away.
The Covenant with Abraham
? The records of ancient Israel were not written down until the time of King David, who had a court and a scribe. This was the time when Israel possessed the land of Canaan.
? The records were then redacted at later dates, significantly in the period of the exile (597BCE)
? There are two covenants recorded in Genesis made with Abraham.
? Genesis 15. Abraham is told to kill a selection of animals and is then put into a deep sleep. A flaming pot passes through. This is a ceremony to seal the covenant. The covenant was one sided, God made promises, Abraham received them.
The Covenant with Abraham
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Covenant 2
? Genesis 17 records the outward sign of the covenant, circumcision. This is still an important practise today.
? 17:9 God also said to Abraham: "On your part, you and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages.This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you that you must keep: every male among you shall be circumcised. Circumcise the flesh ...